William St Loe facts for kids
Sir William St Loe (born 1518, died 1565) was an important English soldier, politician, and courtier in the 1500s. He was the third husband of Bess of Hardwick, a very famous and wealthy woman of that time. Sir William held several important jobs, like being the Captain of the Queen's personal guards and a Member of Parliament for Derbyshire.
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Who Was Sir William St Loe?
Sir William St Loe was the oldest son of Sir John St Loe. His father was the Sheriff of Gloucestershire and also a Member of Parliament. The St Loe family was an old Anglo-Norman warrior family. They were first mentioned in the court of King Henry I around the year 1100.
Where Did the St Loes Live?
The family's main home was a large house called Sutton Court in Chew Magna, Somerset. This house was built on the remains of a castle from the 1200s. For many generations, the St Loe family kept 100 mounted soldiers ready to serve the king. They were often chosen as "Attendant Knights" at royal funerals, which was a special honor.
Sir William's Early Life and Career
Sir William had a very good education. His teacher was a well-known scholar named John Palsgrave, who thought highly of him. William gained experience as a soldier by serving with his father in Ireland. Later, he learned court manners as a gentleman usher in the household of Henry Courtenay, Marquess of Exeter.
His First Marriage
Sir William's first wife was Jane, the daughter of Sir Edward Bayntun. They had two daughters. Jane passed away in 1548. After serving in Ireland, William was knighted in Dublin in January 1549. This means he was given the title "Sir" for his services.
Serving Princess Elizabeth
When he returned from Ireland, Sir William was given a very important job: he was put in charge of the security for Princess Elizabeth. The St Loe family were strong Protestants. They had been involved in efforts to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne and in Wyatt's rebellion. Because of this, Sir William was held and questioned in the Tower of London. However, he did not reveal anything that could get Princess Elizabeth into trouble.
Captain of the Queen's Guard
Right after Elizabeth became Queen, she showed her trust in Sir William. She made him Captain of her Personal Guard. This was a very important role, as he was responsible for the Queen's safety.
Sir William's Marriage to Bess of Hardwick
In January 1559, Sir William married Bess of Hardwick. Their marriage was a happy one. However, William's younger brother, Edward, was worried. He feared that if William and Bess had a son, this son would inherit William's wealth instead of him.
A Difficult Time
In 1560, Bess became ill after being poisoned, but she recovered. Both William and his mother suspected Edward was involved. In 1564, Sir William was made a Commissioner for the Peace in Gloucestershire and Derbyshire. This meant he helped keep law and order in those areas.
Sir William's Death
Sir William died suddenly in the winter of 1565. His brother Edward was visiting him at the time. Sir William was buried at the Church of Great St Helen's at Bishopsgate.
